I'm thinking of buying a Hoodman. Not sure if they are necessary or not; I always manual focus. If so, which model do you recommend? I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II

I presume you will be using liveview and focusing on the LCD. I have the Hoodloupe 3.0 for the Nikon D800e, but I presume you would need the 3.2 model for your Canon. Info is here. A more expensive option is the Zacuto, which is often used for movies. I have no experience with it, but it is recommended by Diglloyd on his pay site.

If you want to obtain critical focus with enlarged live view on either Nikon, which I use, or Canon, which many of my friends use, you do need some sort of magnifier. I started with one of the old loupes I had used with my 4x5 and while it worked, the Hoodman blocks out light very nicely and fits the entire screen. I even added their device which attaches to the hot shoe and holds the Hoodman in place, no hands. This has proven really helpful when using manual focus tilt-shift lenses as then both hands are free to manipulate the lens. I believe it is a worthwhile product. I too have looked at the Zacuto, but Lloyd's latest recommendation is a $700+ flashlight, and the Zacuto is quite expensive. My philosophy is to spend serious money for things are in the light path, eg lenses, filters, and bodies, and to try and cut back a bit on others unless the convenience is really worth it or the price is reasonably small.

I use my Hoodman all the time. I think I have the 3 inch, not sure -- it's several years old. I use it to check exposure on my camera LCD, and to check critical focus when shooting on a tripod. Very, very helpful accessory.

I have a hoodman for my MFDB which I use on a tech camera. I also use it on my d800e. be aware that the standard hoodman does not magnify, it has a 1:1 focusable diopter. I added the the 3.0 magnifier, works much better.

I have a hoodman for my MFDB which I use on a tech camera. I also use it on my d800e. be aware that the standard hoodman does not magnify, it has a 1:1 focusable diopter. I added the the 3.0 magnifier, works much better.

Wayne, with the 3.0 magnifier, how much of the D800 LCD can you see, and does the magnifier have diopter adjustment?

I have looked at the Hoodman loupes. From what Wayne says, I'd really need the 3.0 magnifier for acurate focusing. And my sole purpose for purchasing it is for focusing, not necessarily to block light from the LCD screen. The 3.0 magnifier adds additional "baggage." AARG

Simply said, can the Hoodman be used for acurate focusing without the 3.0 magnifier? Isn't that it's purpose? And why are they advertised for video people?

I have also looked at the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro 3.0x. It has magnification built into it. But, it's more pricey. And, it's REALLY LARGE. There's a mounting bracket that doesn't appeal to me. Can't these loupes just be hung around my neck, and used without such an apparatus?

Too many times I have made a purchase, only to learn that I made a wrong purchase. Then I sell what I bought and buy a second product (usually more expensive). So I don't want do that again. With that said, do you feel that the Zacuto would be a better purchase?

With a dSLR with Live View and 10x zoom for focusing, the hoodman with the 3x eyepiece works great for focusing. In fact at 10x zoom even a standard hoodman for most is all that is needed.

The 3x adaptor replaces the equipped eyepiece so it isn't a hack addition to it. Size doesn't change much, just adds some expense. I'm not technically familiar with the definitions of diopters and magnifiers, but suffice it to say you focus the 3x eyepiece just like the standard eyepiece. While there is some light falloff toward the edges, you can still easily see the entire ground glass even with this eyepiece.

Have been using this on a D800 for about a year and it does the trick very nicely indeed!

a interesting product, I like the idea of the magnetic attach ability and how it works on a d800 by replacing the plastic clip on protector. Looks like it's a 2.2x magnifier, but it says only one model has a diopter adjustment (which seems strange to me as almost everyone benefits from a slight tweak of the diopter).

Basically the same thing as a hoodman with the addition of the magnetic attachment device. Great for video, helpful but maybe not as useful for those shooting stills and just focusing (I keep mine on the lanyard).